Province's economic portfolios at forefront of cabinet shuffle

Hey there, time traveller!This article was published 18/10/2013 (1148 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Premier Greg Selinger put his two top performers in charge of the province’s economy today in a bid to sell the recent PST hike to skeptical Manitobans.

It’s also a signal that today’s shuffle — dropping three long-time ministers in favour of three new faces — is the NDP’s best hope to take them into the next election in two years.

WAYNE GLOWACKI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS

From right, Jennifer Howard, Sharon Blady, Erna Braun and Erin Selby are elevated to top portfolios in Selinger's new cabinet. Purchase Photo Print

Former Family Services Minister Jennifer Howard is the new minister of finance, replacing Stan Struthers.

Former Health Minister Theresa Oswald is the new of minister of jobs and the economy, the renamed department entrepreneurship, training and trade.

The two women have been the strongest performers in a government that’s appeared tired and directionless, and which under Struthers fumbled the ball in justifying the recent increase to the provincial sales tax. It also opened the NDP to a sustained attack by the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, who delayed the passing of a bill that raises the tax with the need for a referendum.

Howard said the government’s job will be to show Manitobans that it is spending taxpayers’ money on the things that matter to them.

She also said the government remains committed to balancing the budget by 2016-2017, two years later than it promised during the last election.

"We’re not going to make those choices by cutting deeply into things that matter to Manitobans, but we are going to make sure that we’re spending money effectively," she said, adding that programs which don’t get results will be dropped.

Asked for his reaction to losing the finance portfolio, Struthers remained upbeat, saying he can continue to help the government build the economy in his new role as minister responsible for Manitoba Hydro, which he inherited from Dave Chomiak.

"He’s going to have enormous responsibly to help us grow our economy into the future," Selinger said.

Struthers also becomes minister of municipal government — although he will not be responsible for relations with the City of Winnipeg. That falls to Point Douglas MLA Kevin Chief.

Struthers will also be responsible for negotiating with Ottawa and municipalities in the development of a new Building Canada infrastructure fund. In that role he said he will be in a position to follow through on the government’s promise to spend increased PST revenues on roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.

"I’m in a very good position to continue that work," he said.

Mayor Sam Katz saw the creation of a new cabinet portfolio solely dedicated to Winnipeg as a means to deal with the city’s infrastructure deficit.

"The creation of a new portfolio focused on City of Winnipeg relations is a positive first step," Katz said. "I look forward to working with (Chief) to find solutions for renewing Winnipeg’s aging infrastructure."

Four more women were elevated to other top portfolios.

Erin Selby becomes health minister moving up from advanced education and Kerri Irvin Ross becomes family services minister moving up from housing and community development.

The new faces are Sharon Blady at healthy living and Erna Braun at labour and immigration.

Also new to cabinet is James Allum who replaces Nancy Allan as education minister. Allan, who led the NDP’s efforts to see the anti-bullying bill (Bill 18) become law, does not plan to seek re-election.

Also dropped from cabinet are Jim Rondeau and Christine Melnick.

"We’re at a reset stage in our life as a government," Selinger said. "We’re looking forward to focusing very strongly on jobs and the economy."

The PCs described today’s cabinet shuffle as a game of musical chairs won’t change the culture of the government.

"The NDP believes Manitoba's tax dollars are better spent at the cabinet table," PC Leader Brian Pallister said in a statement. "We believe they are better spent at the kitchen table. NDP ministers sit around the cabinet table and the only time they stand-up is to vote to support historic tax grabs and the hike to the PST."

The new cabinet

Minister of infrastructure and transportationMinister responsible for emergency measures

Dave Chomiak

Minister of mineral resourcesMinister charged with the administration of the Gaming Control Act

Gord Mackintosh

Minister of conservation and water stewardship

Eric Robinson

Minister of Aboriginal and northern affairsMinister charged with the administration of the Community Economic Development Fund Act

Ron Lemieux

Minister of tourism, culture, sport and consumer protectionMinister charged with the administration of the Liquor Control ActMinister charged with the administration of the Manitoba Lotteries Corporation Act

Stan Struthers

Minister of municipal governmentMinister charged with administration of the Manitoba Hydro Act

Peter Bjornson

Minister of housing and community development

Theresa Oswald

Minister of jobs and the economy

Kerri Irvin-Ross

Minister of family servicesMinister responsible for the status of women

Andrew Swan

Minister of justice and attorney generalMinister charged with administration of the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation ActGovernment house leader

Jennifer Howard

Minister of financeChair of Treasury BoardMinister responsible for the Civil Service CommissionMinister responsible for persons with disabilities

Flor Marcelino

Minister of multiculturalism and literacy

Erin Selby

Minister of health

Kevin Chief

Minister responsible for the City of WinnipegMinister responsible for children and youth opportunities

Ron Kostyshyn

Minister of agriculture, food and rural development

Sharon Blady

Minister of healthy living and seniors

Erna Braun

Minister of labour and immigration

James Allum

Minister of education and advanced learning

Deputy ministers

Harvey Bostrom

Deputy minister of Aboriginal and northern affairs

Joy Cramer

Deputy minister of family services

Grant Doak

Deputy minister of conservation and water stewardship

Hugh Eliasson

Deputy minister of jobs and the economyDeputy minister of mineral resources

Gerald Farthing

Deputy minister of education and advanced learning

Dori Gingera-Beauchemin

Deputy minister of agriculture, food and rural development

Terry Goertzen

Deputy minister of tourism, culture, sport and consumer protection

Karen Herd

Deputy minister of healthDeputy minister of healthy living and seniors

Jim Hrichishen

Deputy minister of finance

Doug McNeil

Deputy minister of infrastructure and transportation

Fred Meier

Deputy minister of municipal governmentDeputy minister for the City of Winnipeg

Donna Miller

Deputy minister of justice and attorney general

Jeff Parr

Deputy minister of housing and community developmentDeputy minister of labour and immigration

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Updated on Friday, October 18, 2013 at 12:48 PM CDT: Adds list

1:13 PM: adds comments from Howard

1:30 PM: Updates with comments from Selinger, Katz, Pallister

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